Philadelphia Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for His Role in Two Major Criminal Conspiracies

Defendant Admitted to Participating in Large-Scale Cargo Thefts, Omerta Racketeering Enterprise

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rakiem Savage, 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 108 months’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $1,300 special assessment by Chief United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone for his role in two major criminal conspiracies. In addition, Savage was ordered to pay restitution in each case — $234,474.80 in a cargo theft conspiracy and $37,425 in a racketeering conspiracy.

As detailed in court filings and statements, between January 1 and July 31, 2023, Savage conspired with his co-defendants to steal goods moving as parts of interstate shipments located on tractor trailers around Philadelphia. 

While a trailer was unattended overnight, or while the driver was asleep, the members of the conspiracy participating in the theft would use bolt cutters and other tools to break into the trailer and steal the goods inside. The members of the conspiracy would then offer the goods for sale to local contacts.

Among other acts, Savage admitted to participating in the April 1, 2023, robbery of a tractor trailer carrying commercial refrigerators, during which members of the conspiracy attacked and injured the driver; and the theft of over $230,000 worth of U.S. dimes on April 13, 2023. 

The members of the conspiracy committed numerous other thefts, as well, stealing goods with a total estimated value of more than $1.5 million from more than 10 victims.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Bowerman and Christopher Diviny.

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